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Enjoy reading.
The four Marauders were sitting outside the castle, enjoying the sun.
"Let's face it I am the best-looking among all the students," said Sirius.
"You don't have to tell this to us, daily, Padfoot, saying something, again and again, does not become truth," smirked Remus, and James and Peter snorted.
"Hey! It's a fact, and my dog form is also the best among all of us," said Sirius.
"Nah, people love stags more, my antlers, are way more attractive," argued James as he ran his hands through his hair, his eyes searching for the red-haired girl.
"Oh please, I am the most attractive, small, and cute, people will prefer me," said Peter.
"I am the loser, here, no one will be attracted to my form," sighed Remus.
"Sorry, mate, we didn't mean to do that, it was just a joke," said James immediately.
"But, I was serious," said Sirius seriously, thus receiving a hit at the back of his head from James.
"It's okay, James, I was having fun too," grinned Remus and James relaxed.
"But I think few girls will be attracted to that wolf, you know he has got muscles," said Sirius.
"And good ones too," added Peter, looking at his own muscles and then comparing it to skinny Remus.
James laughed at this, "Wormy, you are comparing with the wrong person, here see this," and he showed his muscles, and Sirius too joined.
"Well still, more girls find me attractive," said Remus and others shook their heads.
"Believe what you want Moony," said Sirius.
" What should we do now?" asked Peter.
"I have a few ideas for pranks," said Remus.
"Shoot," said James enthusiastically.
"We can explode toilets, and make them flooded and after that, we will lose pixies in there," suggested Remus, James was intimidated by the idea, but it can result in people getting hurt, and thus Lily will get angry.
"Nah, it's dangerous, something less violent," said James, and the other three looked at him with shock.
"Tomorrow's your birthday, and we have to do a prank, it's a perfect idea, and since when are you rooting for less violent things? Come on Prongsie, it will be fun," said Sirius.
"No, Padfoot, we will come up with a better prank, this one can harm someone," said James.
"Tell the truth Prongs, why aren't you supporting this prank?" asked Moony.
"It's dangerous and harmful," replied James but his three friends were looking at him with narrowed eyes waiting for the truth, he sighed, "Lily won't like it, that's why okay?"
"Since when has her opinion mattered in our pranks?" asked Sirius.
"Come on Pads, she will get angry, we will be crossing a line here, exploding toilets can injure someone, there's risk in there," said James.
"I thought you liked risks," said Sirius, but before James could say anything, Remus interrupted.
"Let's think hypothetically, and leave Lily behind, what's your opinion of the prank?" asked Remus.
"I kind of like it, it'll be fun but people can get injured here if, by accident only, they might get injured," answered James.
"You and Lily aren't even dating yet, so you have to do everything with her approval, we are going for this prank, it will be fun," said Sirius.
"Yeah, but at least we have progressed in our relationship, and I don't want to spoil it," said James.
"I think Prongs is right, I have an idea, we can make the toilets talk insults, that way it will be fun and no one will get injured," said Peter, James and Remus agreed but Sirius was still not convinced.
"Come on Padfoot don't act like a child," said Remus.
"He is the one acting like a child," said Sirius pouting and pointing at James.
"You really are a drama queen," scoffed James.
Sirius eyes however were focused elsewhere, he was now looking at a greasy head boy who was with Mulciber, the latter one has just pushed the first year roughly to remove him from the bench and both of them sat on the bench, Snape was sitting there with a triumph as they both saw the first year running away, he said something pointing at the first year which made Mulciber laugh, and the next moment the first year fell on the ground, Sirius saw Snape putting back his wand.
"That slimy git," said Sirius through gritted teeth, the other three followed Sirius' gaze.
"What happened?" asked James.
"They just pushed away that first year off the bench and then hexed him, making him fall,"
"Oh," said Peter.
"Come Prongs let's have fun," said Sirius standing up.
"I. . . let's leave them, we have the prank to plan," said James rubbing the back of his neck.
"You are no fun," said Sirius. "You have gone soft now, since, Lily has started showing some interest in you."
"Don't go pushing it Padfoot," said Remus. "Leave them, we should not start a fight."
Sirius sat back, thinking deeply, and then he grinned, "I am not going to do anything but Snuffles is going to."
"Who is Snuffles?" asked James.
"He has named his dog form, Snuffles," snorted Peter.
"Look he is doing some homework probably and Snuffles will help him, you all don't have to come along, just watch," said Sirius running into the forest.
"When will he grow up?" sighed Remus, Peter, and James shrugged.
After 5 minutes, a black dog appeared from the forest and proceeded towards Snape, where he was sitting alone now, as Mulciber has left to talk with Avery and Synde.
The dog sat beside Snape and when Snape tried to shoo him away, the dog barked at Snape who moved many feet away from the dog forgetting his wand on the bench, the dog continued barking at Snape, who took a small stone and threw it at the dog but missed, the dog jumped on the bench and started eating papers.
"That's my Transfiguration homework you filthy dog!" shouted Snape so loudly that everyone turned to him, the marauders were suppressing their laughter, but failing, though James and Remus has their wands ready, just in case.
Snape picked up another stone and threw it at the dog but missed again.
"He is really bad at aiming," laughed Peter.
The dog by now has eaten the homework and has begun chasing Snape who was trying to hit the dog with another stone. Everyone laughed as the dog chased the greasy-haired boy around the grounds, the boy's feet trembled after a few minutes and he fell to the ground.
The dog approached him, barked a few times at his face, and then turned and ran into the forest. Snape lay on the ground for another minute, he then got up on his feet, took his things, and ran into the castle.
Sirius returned after 5 minutes, laughing hard and clutching his stomach.
"It was a 4 feet essay that McGonagall gave us, and tomorrow is the last day, it was much to eat, and oily too, but it was worth the effort. When I barked at his face, he looked as though he was about to wet himself," said Sirius between the laughter, the other three laughed too.
"I haven't seen that dog before," said Mary as the three girls approached the boys, by the looks on the girls' faces it looked like they too had enjoyed the show.
"I have seen it before, its name is Snuffles," smirked Marls.
"How do you know that?" asked Remus.
"I named him," she winked at Sirius who winked back.
"I haven't seen him too, this was the first time I saw him," said Lily looking at Marls.
"Well Snape learned his lesson, not to disturb a dog when he is sitting silently," said Mary and others agreed.
"Why aren't we going to the campsite?" asked Sirius, they were sitting in the boys' dorm, at midnight, celebrating James' birthday.
"Because you were talking about sneaking out so loudly that some Slytherins heard it and tipped Filch, and besides it's seven of us, it would have taken at least 5 trips to get all of us there under the cloak, it hardly fits two of us now," said Remus.
"And it would be dangerous too," added Mary.
After a lot of dancing, making fun of James, eating food, drinking firewhisky and Sirius' singing, five people were asleep, only James and Lily were sober, having drank only a few goblets.
"No, way I am getting drunk, not after seeing Slughorn fully drunk," Lily has said and James has agreed, Sirius has called them old people.
"Look at him now," said Lily pointing at Sirius who was sleeping with his head on Peter's stomach and his leg half hanging from the bed. Mary and Marlene were asleep on Sirius' bed and Remus was asleep on the floor.
"It's good we didn't get drunk or else all of us would have been in deep trouble," said James running his hands through Lily's long hair and placing kisses on her cheeks every now and then.
"Here's your gift from me," said Lily handing him a locket. "Open it."
James opened it, it has a photo of him, the photo then changed, now of four boys, then of James and his parents, then of James and his uncle and aunt, then of a baby James, then of a 5 year James and Marls playing on a broom, then a photo of 7 of them, and then to a photo of James and Lily, from their 5th year, Lily in James' arm.
"After we won the championship," said James and Lily nodded, the photo changed again, Lily and James both collecting the prizes, then James and Lily with their wands out as they duel, and then to another one, in which both of them were laughing, while they were in the lake, then to them arguing. "It's lovely, Lils."
"You can add more photos to it, and also change the locket to a photo frame of a small, medium, or large size," said Lily.
"Ohh, Lily, it must be expensive," said James.
"It was not that much, and I wanted to buy it, now, put your hands in it, there's a book in there, you can put as many things as you want in it, I put that charm on it," said Lily.
James put a finger in it and a book came out, "MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING by V.E. Frankl"
"It's about Viktor Frankl, chronicling his experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II, it's a book with deep meanings and experience of life," said Lily.
"Thanks, Lils," said James pulling her in his lap and kissing her, he then started laughing.
"What? Did I do smoothing wrong?" asked Lily.
"It's just Sirius' gift here, lying on the floor, on which my eyes fell, here look at it," said James picking up the paper and giving it to Lily.
"It's a ticket to a concert. . . . of THE BEATLES," laughed Lily.
"He asked about my favourite band during Christmas, and today he got me this," said James.
"Didn't he know that The Beatles broke up?" asked Lily. "And this is a ticket of 1969."
"No, he thinks tickets in muggles world work as they do in Wizarding World, like how our Hogwarts ticket works for seven years," laughed James. "Though I didn't tell him that, he would have got hurt, so I accepted it."
"He must have searched hard to get this," said Lily examining the ticket.
"Yeah, he said he had to charm three girls to get it," said James.
"This watch looks good on you," said Lily examining the watch Ms Potter has send him.
"It was of Uncle Ben, it's a family heirloom, passed from to the youngest wizard when he comes of age," said James.
"But what if there are only daughters?" asked Lily.
"Then the daughter will keep it and pass it to his son, or another relative boy," said James.
"It means it was of your grandfather, then of your father, then of Uncle Ben, how old it is?" asked Lily.
"Yeah, but not my grandfather, it was his younger brother first, he died young and this watch is more than 500 years old, the strap is about 50 years old though," said James.
"So, now it's yours, and then will go on to your son and then to his,"
"Our son," said James without thinking and clapped his hand on his mouth, cursing internally, Lily's face turned to the colour of her hair, and she continued looking at the watch. "Sorry. . .I . . it was. . . just. . . I was thinking and. . . it."
"Relax James, you look funny when you are nervous," laughed Lily. James relaxed, thank Merlin she is not angry. "Now, we can talk, we weren't able to talk properly about that dream, tell me."
James has tried to talk about it to her, but due to so much work, they hadn't got time to talk about it, but now James told her everything and about how he felt like killing them too but can't kill.
"I felt bad for that girl Aisha and Tom Riddle too," said Lily grimly.
"Yeah, me too, I wanted to kill those two, but. . "James trailed off.
"But?"
"But when I saw Voldemort killing them, it shook me and I realised saying I want to kill and actually killing them is a lot different, and I felt I could not, I would have hurt them but couldn't kill them," said James.
"There's a lot of difference, and you are not a killer," said Lily.
"You know when I woke up and saw you, I thought about what I would have done if it was who in her place, I was afraid when I thought that, I realized that even if it was you, then also I couldn't have killed them, and now I am feeling weak," said James.
Lily cupped his face and looked straight into his hazel eyes, "Listen, James, it doesn't makes you weak, it makes you stronger, it's not your place to kill them, beating someone due to anger is different and killing is different, and I am glad you wouldn't kill, giving punishment is not your place, that's what makes you different from Voldemort.
"What Voldemort did makes him even worse than those two. James remember that time in the fifth year when I explained all things, I told you we don't have to fall to their level, they are doing evil doesn't mean we start doing evil too, we will become bad just like them if we do those things. And to be honest that Aisha girl wasn't good too, though it was the environment that she grew up in, made her like that and the same goes for Riddle too, they had bad childhoods, but they decided to become bad too, it was wrong," finished Lily.
"I haven't told Dumbledore about it yet," said James. "I was feeling odd, I feel connected to Tom Riddle, I wanted to console him, I was shocked that he was in love with a muggle and even after that incident he was there for her, her death was the turning point of his life."
"Because he too is a human or to properly say was a human. And I am proud you feel like that, it shows your heart is good," smiled Lily placing her hand on his heart.
"So, it's his childhood that made him this evil? I have been thinking about it for a long time. "
"Look, our childhood plays an important role, but it's the choices that we make are more important, if you have a terrible childhood, it doesn't gives you an excuse to become horrible, or if you have a bully for a father it doesn't gives you an excuse to become a terrible person, we all have choices, some become good and some bad. Just like even good and caring parents can have a killer for a son," explained Lily. "Childhood does matter, but if Tom Riddle had made good choices he wouldn't have become what he is today.
"You see Snape, his father abuses her mother and mostly neglected Snape, but his mother, taught Snape a lot of spells, she loves him, but he neglects her for anything other than magic, I know only this much. Snape used to blame his father every time, but that was not an excuse to get involved with death eaters, he at least got love from his mother, and then there's Sirius, Marls told me his mother used to beat him, his father would do nothing to stop his mother from beating him, he loved him but didn't show it until Sirius left the house, Marls informed me how horrible Sirius' life has been just because he was interested in muggle things, how he was beaten at home after he was sorted into Gryffindor, but look at him, he is reckless, but I know he is a good person, he stands for what is right, he could have easily joined the death eaters and had a happy comfortable life, but he knew it was wrong and he made the choice and left them, but Snape didn't, he joined them even though Snape was hardly beaten at home, Snape's childhood was way better than Sirius'. Snape was free to roam around and do what he wants but Sirius was locked in his room, and wasn't allowed to leave it, yet look at them now, look at their childhood, how different they are."
"Yeah, people think being born in the Noble House of Black, his life would have been luxurious, but it was exactly the opposite, his father just showed him pity sometimes and taught him and Regulus occlumency, but he never did anything to stop Sirius' mother from hurting him, he was sorry though when Sirius left them. His mother though wasn't, she was the one who disowned him, Reg was ordered not to see Sirius, and she even kept Sirius hungry, once she kept him hungry for two days when he refused to use that M-Word," said James looking sadly at Sirius.
"Look at him, such a horrible childhood still a heart of gold," said Lily.
"I don't know where he gets so much energy to make everyone laugh and do nonsense things," chuckled James.
"I hope I helped you and answered your question too?" asked Lily.
"Yes you did, and you are best at it," said James kissing her.
"I swear professor I did my homework," said Snape.
The sixth years were in Transfiguration class, McGonagall was collecting the essay on conjuring spells, and giving out detentions to the ones who failed to submit it.
"Then where it is Mr Snape, the essay was given to you all a week ago, and today was the last day to submit it, so you better give it now or get detention for it," said McGonagall.
"But Professor, I did it, I wrote the entire 4 feet," said Snape.
"Then give it to me," said McGonagall stretching her hands.
"I can't Professor,"
"What do you mean you can't?"
"I can't give you the essay,"
"May, I ask why you can't give the homework?"
"A dog ate my homework," muttered Snape going red in ears, McGonagall looked confused.
A few of the students who heard him snorted.
"What?" asked McGonagall.
"A dog ate my homework," said Snape loudly and the class burst into laughter.
McGonagall looked furious now she was looking straight at Snape, but James, Lily and Sirius had noticed her lips twitching up for a second.
"A dog ate your homework? A dog?" asked McGonagall angrily.
"Yes, professor," replied Snape.
"You could have come up with a better excuse," said McGonagall.
"A black dog, he sat near me and when I tried to send him away, he started barking at me and then he ate my homework, and then chased me around," protested Snape.
"You should not hit a cute dog with a stone if you don't want it to chase you around," shouted Remus.
"10 points from Slytherin and detention tonight Mr Snape, my office at 7 p.m.," said McGonagall.
"But. . professor," Snape tried to protest.
"Sorry Mr Snape, but rules are rules, you failed to submit the essay. Now, go back to your seat, we will begin the lesson now," said McGonagall.
"How are we going to your house?" asked Lily to James, they were standing on Platform 9 3-by-4.
"Wanna go on a broom?" smirked James.
"No, not a broom," said Lily hitting him playfully on his arm.
"Don't worry, there's a car waiting for us," said Marls.
"Not for me, I am going to take the Knight Bus to visit Uncle Alphard," said Sirius.
"So, we will see you at school then?" asked James.
"Yeah mate, I promised Alphard I would visit him and then I have to meet Nymphadora," said Sirius.
Lily got out of the car and looked around, the place looked like a village.
"Sorry, we have to walk for a bit, the car will not go further," said James as he charmed their trunks so they were now floating just above the ground, making it easy to carry them, while Lily was holding Felix.
"It's okay, James," said Lily as she followed him and Marls up the hill. "Where's your house?"
"Just over there," pointed James at top of the hill.
"We have to walk up to there, due to safety reasons, there are strong and ancient magical protections around it," said Marls.
After 5 minutes walk, Lily saw an old two-story building, which looked on the verge to collapse, it was in between a big yard, surrounded by fences, and there was a wooden gate to enter.
A/N: This is similar to what Lily saw.
"So, you liked my house?" asked James.
"Umm. . . yeah," replied Lily, she had thought the Potters were rich, and the way James has talked about Library and having Sirius, Marls, Remus, and Peter over here, the house looked way too small for that.
"So, are you still my girlfriend?" asked James.
"Of course, I am, why you asked that?" asked Lily, and James kissed her cheeks.
Lily looked at him confused, and then James and Marls burst out laughing.
"What? Why are you laughing?" asked Lily confused, James was to answer but Marls closed his mouth.
"Nothing, Lils, let's enter the property, I am going in first," said Marls opening the gate and entering in.
James took her hand and entered in, closing the door behind him, and then Lily saw the house in front of her and her jaws dropped, it has changed.
A/N: This is what it Potter's Manor really looked like, which Lily saw when she crossed the security barrier. (This is Rupert's Grint Mansion ;) )
"This is my real house, that was what it looks like from outside for security, anyone else will come and find that house until you are led in by a Potter, you can't really enter," explained James. "So, now, did you like my house?"
"Yes, but it's a Manor," said Lily turning to James.
"Yeah," said James."Come let's go in."
The moment Marls knocked on the door, a house elf opened it and bowed.
"Hello Pardey," said Marls, and the elf took the three tunks inside.
"You have a house elf?" asked Lily and James nodded as two people came to meet them.
"Hello mum, dad," James hugged them and Marls followed. Both the old people looked at Lily.
"I am Lily Evans, I'm James'. . . ." she began but trailed off not knowing what to say.
"She is my girlfriend, but don't tell Sirius," said James turning red and making Lily red too.
"Of course, we know, James has not stopped talking about you, his every letter mentions you, dear, we are so pleased to meet you again, come inside," said Euphemia hugging Lily.
"Thanks, Mrs Potter," said Lily as she followed them inside.
"Please call me Euphemia,"
After having lunch, James showed Lily her room.
"You will be living here, my room is beside your room, and that door," he pointed at a door in her room, "connects our room."
Lily narrowed her eyes while suppressing a smile, "And why's that?"
"This room was first attached to mine, later separated, I used to use this part of the room for learning when I was a kid," said James. "The room across from yours is Marls' room, and the room next to hers is Sirius'."
"So, what are we going to do now, do you have any plans?" asked Lily as she opened her trunk to place her things in place.
James lay on her bed playing with the snitch, "We can go and walk in the garden, or I can show you around the house."
Marls entered the room sitting beside James, "Or we can play some games," she said snatching the snitch from James.
"HEY!" James protested.
"We can go and see the house first," said Lily as she caught the snitch, Marls has thrown towards her.
"You would be good as a seeker," said James sitting up.
"I know but I don't want to hurt Kevin's chances," said Lily. "Now, come let's go."
James and Marls showed Lily the Library, the duelling room, kitchens, the living room, a playroom, which had all sorts of funny Zonko's products, a gym, a wine cellar, a potions room, which attracted Lily the most, and finally garage which had two cars, and a motorbike in it.
"One is of Uncle Ben and this, Porsche 911 is mine," winked James.
"Why do you have cars?" asked Lily.
"Show off," replied Marls and received a glare from James.
"Uncle Ben liked driving and used to drive to go to muggle functions," said James. "And I just liked it and was gifted by my parents and Uncle Ben after I won the Championship."
"Do you even know how to drive a car?" asked Lily and James shook his head. "HA! Something I know and Potter doesn't."
"I will learn from you," said James.
"Come kids now to the final destination where we will be spending the rest of time," said Marls and James and Lily followed her.
"This is the new cinema room, though it has just a TV, magically charmed to work in here," said James.
"We are going to watch some movie," said Marls.
"Any recommendations?" asked James to Lily. "We have 'The Godfather,' '2001: A Space Odyssey,' 'Citizen Kane,'. . . "
"Let's watch 'Citizen Kane,'" said Lily.
Lily was fully enjoying her time at The Potter's Manor, she would help Euphemia with cooking, and have talks with Fleamont regarding potions and sometimes both of them would spend some time in the potions room, where Fleamont taught her many things.
"You really are naturally talented at Potions, I just wish James was a little bit like you in these things," said Fleamont to Lily.
"That hurts dad," James mocked hurt, "Besides I have my mother's skills in Transfiguration which is way better than potions," said James as he conjured a decorated basket with beautiful eggs and flowers in it and then high five his mother.
"See, they always make fun of me," complained Fleamont to Lily. "But now I have got you to back me up," grinned Fleamont.
"You sure have," said Lily and told them about the potion she used to make the Marauders speak like animals, making Fleamont and Euphemia laugh.
Other times she would sit in the garden with James and Marls and watch Felix running and chasing the gnomes, or would play Quidditch. She would read from a wide variety of books all typed in the library, duel with James, and sometimes with Marls. Once Fleamont and Euphemia joined James and Lily to duel with them, out of the 5 rounds, James and Lily won 2, and later received tips from the two Aurors. The rest of the time was spent doing homework, playing chess or monopoly with James and Marls, or snogging James, though both did it to minimal as James' parents were around, they didn't mind Marls though, much to her disgust.
"Guys, we are in a middle of a Monopoly game," she would say as Lily sat on James' lap, her leg around his waist, and would snog him.
"MM hmmm, just a sec," they used to say.
"Now, James doesn't do that in front of me," Marls said.
"Turn around or close your eyes then," Lily would say grinning.
"You guys are way worst and insufferable," Marls would complain.
"Don't forget that night when Remus and I caught you with Benjy or that when we caught you with Sirius," Lily would say, thus shutting up Marls.
"It feels like home here, to be honest," Lily said to James, as they sat in the garden, it was morning time, and they were watching Felix, who was playing with a ball that James had conjured and Lily had charmed so that it moves around and Felix runs behind it to catch it.
"I am glad that you like it here," said James playing with her hair.
"I am glad that you invited me," said Lily.
"James dear, your schoolmate Lucy is coming today in the afternoon with her parents, so I want you to behave properly," said Euphemia approaching them.
"Why is she coming here?" groaned James.
"Her parents are our friends dear," replied Euphemia rolling her eyes. "I have told you this a thousand times."
"Well, Lucy can't know Lils is here, because we don't want the whole school to interfere in our relationship, and if she finds out Lils is here, she would announce it to the whole school," said James.
"Very well then, Lily and Marlene can stay in that room you made, the cinema room, while they are here," said Euphemia.
"And I won't be home too, I have to buy some things from the market, so I will return in the evening," said James.
"It's dangerous to go outside alone," warned Euphemia.
"Don't worry mum, I will have the cloak with me and I will be alert," assured James. "Besides I am not going to any dangerous place, just some muggle stuff."
"Be careful, and send us a message if you sense any danger," said Euphemia.
"I will mum."
"Why not take Lily and Marlene with you?"
"No, mum, I am just going for some shopping, and if they will be with me then I will not be able to use a cloak, and Marls is not of age yet,"
"Very well, then, but remain safe and out of trouble," said Euphemia.
"I don't go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me," said James, and Lily snorted, James, shot her an angry look.
Once Euphemia has left, James and Lily decided to go inside, they were in James' room now.
"So, going to buy books?" asked Lily.
"Yeah, I have the polyjuice potion and a mouthful of Felix Felicis, so don't worry," James said and Lily nodded.
"Here, I want you to buy me these books, and also this is the money for it," said Lily as she handed him a note and a pouch containing 50 galleons.
James took the note from her, it had the names of 3 books, one of which were about charms and 1 about Potions, and the other on wandless magic, all of them were old and advanced books, not available easily.
"There are 50 galleons, in it. I did some research and got the idea of the price, though if it costs more tell me and I will give you," said Lily.
James returned back the galleons and tucked the note inside his pocket carefully. "I don't need that money Lils, keep it, I have enough money, I am using my winnings and some money I asked from dad, so don't worry."
"But, they are expensive books, James," said Lily trying to give him the pouch nut he rejected.
"I have the money for it, Lils, and I will take the money if I need them in the future, and that too with interest," chuckled James. Lily knew it was a waste of energy to give him the money so she put that aside.
James after being prepared for the trip walked to Lils and kissed her before leaving.
James arrived at Leaky Cauldron, he was now disguised as a man, he has stole the hair from the ministry driver, who James knew was a pureblood, his name was Gilbert Wimple.
James entered the Knockturn Alley, he walked deeper and deeper, he heard people talking about and knew that there were about 6 people who were death eaters for sure and one if them was the one who had chased him on the broom, last summer.
James finally found the bookshop he was looking for, 'Fawley Stationaries and artifacts'.
James entered the shop, it was very congested and dusted, an old man was sitting behind the counter he had big boils on his face and hands.
"Hullo, I need these books," James whispered his voice thick, as he slipped a parchment to the man who glanced at it and looked at James curiously.
"I don't have these here," said the old man, James knew what to do, he looked at the old man as angry as he could be and then slipped a pouch with 20 galleons to him.
"Give me," hissed James not breaking the contact. The man counted the coins.
"But. . I . . " but before the man could finish James hit the counter with his fist.
"I don't have time to fool around, give me," said James angrily but in a low voice.
The old man gulped and then nodded, and turned to go but James grabbed his cloth tightly and then the old man turned to James.
"Listen here, if you tried to escape or you did anything else than bringing me my books, then I will make sure that you die a slow death, I will start with cutting each piece of your leg, then will move to your hands, I will make you beg for death, but will not give you, because I will first use you as a guinea pig, and then left you for my insects to eat you, so you better stay in line," said James through gritted teeth, he had learned it from Tom Riddle.
The old man was now shaking with fear, he nodded again and ran inside the moment James left his cloth, after 10 minutes he returned with all the 8 books, including 3 books for Lily.
"How much?" asked James examining the books.
"280 Galleons are for the books and some for. . .," said the old man.
James looked up at him and clutched the collar of his robes from across the counter, James could clearly see the fear on the man's face.
"I will give you the money for the books only, I gave you those extra 20, now don't test my patience," hissed James and the old man nodded, he was sweating badly now.
James let go of him and took out 4 pouches and gave them to the man, "There are an extra 20 for you."
"Thank you, sir," said the old man.
"Turn around," ordered James, the man looked confused but did as he was told, James instantly put all his books in the Locket Lily had given him and left, without glancing back.
Just one more thing needed from Knockturn Alley now, James moved slowly now, he was listening to everyone hard, and these people were all gloating about being part of Death Eater.
James entered Borgins and Brukes, by now he had transfigured his robes into dark green, and it was dirty, his teeth were all yellowish, with a small black boil on his chin.
"Welcome, sir, welcome," said Borgin his voice as oily as his hair, James looked at him with disgust for a few seconds. "How may I help you sir?"
"I need these two things from you," said James passing him a note.
Borgin read the note his eyes widened, "Um. . we don't have these two books here, sir."
"Don't lie to me, I am very well aware of things you have in here, I suppose you still have those mirrors which lock one inside it, when one looks in it," said James in a cold voice, Borgin was taken aback by this information, he was looking at the man in front of him carefully now. "Don't stay standing there and looking at me, I need those two books," hissed James.
"Sir, I can't, and how do you know of the mirror?" he asked looking shocked.
"It was just one thing, I know of, there's a blanket which will kill the person who sleeps on it, there's that book you have which destroys the brain, then there's that plate, serve the food in it and the man who eats the food, is cursed for his life," said James, Borgins has now started sweating. "If you want to stay clear, you will go and get me these two books now or else I will have to tell you more about stuff, like a locket that you lost."
Borgins face was pale now, he took the parchment and ran into his shop and after 5 minutes came with the two books wrapped in dirty clothes.
James took the books and threw a 220 galleon pouch at him, Borgins counted the money, "But sir it is less. . "
"It is 80 more than what you sold and then brought it for," hissed James.
He turned and left the shop, putting the books in the locket, he was thinking of leaving, when he saw three people walking closely, James recognised them: Rosier, Nott and Snape. James covered himself with the cloak and started following them, closely so he could hear their conversation.
"Your potion is going well?" asked Nott in a low voice.
"Yes, and I will show it to The Dark Lord tomorrow when we meet him," said Snape.
"What is his future plan, Nott?" asked Rosier.
"He wants to recruit the students before that old fool Dumbledore takes them by his side," said Nott.
"So, now everyone will be offered?" sneered Snape.
"No, only the best," answered Nott. "It is your job Rosier, to recruit them."
"But, The Dark Lord said Malfoy will recruit them, I will only have to give him his name," said Rosier.
"Who are you thinking of?" asked Snape.
"There's that Cuthbert, The Bones, Bode, Croaker, but they are all average, the good ones are: Benjy, Vance, Meadows, Sirius Black, and that Potter too."
"Potter is nothing but a stupid git who thinks he owns the world, he is too arrogant to be of any use to the Dark Lord, and the same goes for Black, he is a reckless fool," snarled Snape.
"Potter is a Champion, a Pureblood and doesn't forget that he defeated the 5 of you alone with the help of that mudblood, " snorted Rosier.
"But I sent him to the hospital for a week," said Snape angrily.
"Because you attacked from behind, and then also you were found with an injured head," said Rosier.
"It was Lil- that mudblood who attacked me afterwards, otherwise that Potter would . . " said Snape.
"Stop it Snape, and The Dark Lord has a plan to sort out the best person to add to his rank, so you both need not worry about that," said Nott.
"What's his plan?" asked Rosier.
"You will have to wait to know about it, you aren't one of us yet," said Nott.
"When will we be marked?" asked Snape, and James noticed the eagerness in his voice.
"I heard Malfoy talk, you both and Avery, Mulciber and Synde have proved your worth, you will be marked whenever you want," said Nott.
"I am ready to be marked, I am ready now," said Snape.
"Tomorrow you will be marked then," said Nott.
"I can't wait," said Snape.
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